The Annual Return form AR01 is a required document that provides a snapshot of a company's key information, including its name, registered number, business activities, and details of directors and shareholders. Companies must file this form with Companies House at least once every 12 months, within 28 days after the made-up date. The made-up date is usually one year after the last return date and can be adjusted for various reasons.

1. ANNUAL RETURN
FORM AR01
UK

2. WHAT IS AN ANNUAL RETURN?
An annual return (AR01) is a snapshot of certain company information at the
made-up date and must contain the following information:
• the name of the company
• its registered number
• the date to which the annual return is made-up (the made-up date)
• the principal business activities of the company (see Principal Business
Activities)
• the type of company it is, for example, private or public
• the registered office address of the company

3. • the address (single alternate inspection location - SAIL) where the
company keeps certain company records if not at the registered office, and
those records held there
• the details of the company secretary (corporate or individual), where
applicable
• the details of all the company's directors (corporate or individual)
• If the company has share capital, the annual return must also state "if the
company’s shares have been admitted to trading on a relevant market" at
any time during the return period;
• a statement of capital;
• details of the shareholders.
“Every company must deliver an annual return to Companies House at
least once every 12 months. The annual return must be filed with
Companies House within 28 days after the made-up date.”

4. WHAT IS THE ‘MADE-UP DATE’?
Check on Companies House for the ‘Last return made up to’ date – the current
made-up date will be one year later (unless you are bringing it forward for
client reasons).
• the incorporation of the company, or
• the made-up date of the previous annual return registered at Companies
House (not necessarily the date it was filed)
• an annual return can be filed earlier (but not later) than the made-up date, you
may do this to bring it in line with timing of other group entities.
“The due date of an annual return is 28 days AFTER the ‘made up date’.”

5. FORM AR01